Hey girls, how are things going. Things are going fine with me. Just been super hungry lately. I don't know what it is, just can't seem to get enough. I am in the munching mood. Talk about munching, I got these crepe sheats from the stor, and then cut them up into small squares then bake them at 325 for about 5 mins and they come out like thin cookies. they taste really good. They would be great for dipping in yogurt or something. Those on WW, it is only 1 point per sheat.

I have been doing bad because of the munching...I need to stop the next two days. I am only given a certain amount that I need to eat and I don't have many points (extra ones) left for the week.

I am going to Austin tonight to get my tattoo filled in. Every time I get one I say, man that hurt, there is no way I will get another one, then a week later I want another one. I am saving the big one for when i get to goal. I would love something going up my waist and on my stomach. We will see.

Went dancing this weekend with my girlfriends from Austin. Left James at home with Camdon. We went to a gay club, and it was a ton of fun. The crazy thing is that we all got hit on by guys...to crazy. I didn't want to go to a straight club for that reason...I guess they couldn't resist our beauty :-) I didn't drink, but felt hungover the next day. I slept, and slept. I am not used to dancing like that, and being up late. I feel really old....but I had a blast.

I really need to start working out again....do I hear a crunch chalenge???? Come on, any takers...let me know.

Well girls, Sunday I went to Weight Watchers and Weighed in 3.8 pounds less!!! Boy I have been so excited. I start my excercise this week, I am just going to do it slowly by starting out walking and somelight aerobics. Hopefully I will get some positive results!!

Just FYI in my avatar I am picture with my husband, Michael.

Well you all have a good day, congrats on everyones accomplishments and staying OP.

Hey girls, how are things going. I have been fine. Camdon had a docotor's apt. today with the neurologist and he confirmed that Camdon has Craniosynistosis....a big word for saying that his skull bones have fused. He will need surgery. He has his 3D scan on friday, and has to go under. He does not do well with that. We really have to do it because we need to know what is going on, and see if the surgery would be worth the risks. The doc. says it will not stop the seizures, but it will help with his mircosipholy (small brain growth)...so in the long rum will help him to develope more on target for his age. The thing that is scarry is that he could be a child his whole life....I guess just as long as he is happy like he is now. I just can't see myself disiplining a kid that is 6'4" and hopefully does not get the fat gene. I would love to see him grow in his musical talents....BTW, he is super musically inclined.

Well, went last night to get my tattoo redone. I decided at the last ninute to get another one. They hurt like ****!!!!! why I get them, I don't know. They are pretty. This one I got for my husband...he says there is nothing better in the world like strawberry cheese cake....so he named my butt cheese cake...so I got a strawberry tattood on my butt . It is really cute. James has been so overwhelmed with school that he has not had much time for me, if you know what I mean So, just wanted to do something to spark that interest again. He was really happy about it.

On a funny note, the other night I was laying on my side and James put his arm around my waste (sponned me) and he could feel my hip bone. He said, "man, you are getting so skinny!" I laughed because I am still in the 300's and he thinks I am skinny. You gotta love him.

Chocolate fix with no fat and no added sugar....Chocolate Merigue with splenda. Got them today, they are yummy, perfect for little cravings. If you are on WW, they are NO POINTS, yes, you heard me right...ZERO Points. You can have 13 of them. Miss Merigue makes them. I was looking for vanilla, but couldn't find them. Very good.

Well girls got to go.

Talk to you all later, lets see if I make 20 lbs tomorrow. I ate like a pig this week, wouldn't be too surprised if I went up.

Tonya: Sorry about that. I see the sugar free on their website as well. The stats listed there aren't exactly what you have listed, but they do still come out to 0 points for 13 of them. What we need to realize though is that 26 of them is NOT also 0 points just because they are eaten in two or more sittings. They still have calories and no matter what plan we're on, WW or otherwise, the idea is to expend more calories than we eat. They have to be accounted for somewhere.

Hey ladies!!!
I am so excited!!! I lost 3 pounds this week which puts me at -20.4 and that got me my 20 pound star tonight at Weight Wacthers!!! Whoo hoo I feel so good!!!

I am sorry, I just am so thrilled that I met my first goal (that I set for myself) 2 weeks early!!!

OK so now I have set my next goal to lose a total of 36 pounds by Labor Day weekend.......I hope I can do it, it is 6 weeks away...hmmm ok it is a possibility, but I need to stay realistic, so I would like to make it my possible goal, but to definately make it a goal by the end of September...that gives me 9 weeks....gosh I love a good challenge.

Well I have been bad....I have not started my exercise yet. I have just not been into it.....but I know if I do, I would be very happy. I guess that is one way to make sure I make my goals......lol....I just need to kick my butt into gear!!! Especially before I fall off.....ok ok I am sitting here convincing myself.

Gosh it is nice to know you ladies are here to help me make good choices....lol

I haven't been wanting to post. I have been in a bad mood lately, I am trying to work through it. The doctor called monday, and told me that Camdon has Craniosynostosis (premature fusing of his skull) and at first I was resolved with it. But, now I am really angry and troubled. I saw some pictures of children that go through the surgery and they have to be put on a ventilater...to most parents that is just part of the process, but to me it is even harder, because Camdon just got off his home vent about a year ago. It is really going to be tough seeing him in the ICU on the vent again. His face will swell up to the point where he can not open up his eyes. I am just so overwhelmed ... I tried to make a phone call with the remote control today...I am losing it. I am doing some strange things...I put a pan on the counter and thought it was the stove...took me about 2 seconds to realize that was not going to work. I really got to be on my toes...I am not doing well. Needless to say I have been benge eating. I have been trying to control it, but it has been tough.

I want so much to be healthy, but the stress is getting to me.I have been averaging a pound a week...at that rate it is going to take 2 years to get to my goal. I am so proud of Alison (I almost called you Peaches, I don't know why).

Please be emailing me you all to keep me on track or IM me. I am on almost every day.

Hey you all, I want to write about what I am eating but I feel like I am going to be chastized my the person that thinks thin. But, reagardless to what she says I am going to post.

I went out to dinner tonight with the folks to talk about the upcoming trip to Dallas to see the specialist. It has been a long week trying to decides who was the best specialist to take Camdon to. We finally decided. But, the food was so good tonight. I have been so stressed out, it was nice to let go for a night. I had some scalups (huge and sweet) with pasta, some calamari and salad. It was so filling. We also had some Gelato, I had the sugar free chocolate. I needed the fix. This was a splurge for me, and a treat...so the rest of the week I am really going to have to watch it.

I have no plans for Sat. so I am thinking about taking Camdon to the museum or the park. It all depends how hot it is. I miss you Dusty and Night owl, where have you been? I am going to PM you all, don't make me track you down.

Well, Alison you are doing great on your WW and thanks so much for being there for me thru all this craziness.

Im relatively new to the board here (almost a week now) .. but just wanted to stop in and say Hiii to you all from New Zealand.

Tanya, Im so sorry to hear about Camden .. it definitely is a hard thing for family members to go through as well as for the child, its really a case of needing to be able to control something in your life when such a big thing is out of your control, and for people with weight issues .. its food. Dont be hard on yourself at this time, you have enough on your plate without feeling like you have to be accountable for what you eat as well .. I know you want to be healthy etc, but you also need to be able to cope and everyone has different coping mechanisms.

My oldest nephew was diagnosed with Leukemia when he was only 5, we were so shocked and it was a tough year worrying about finding donors etc and him surviving all of the treatments, but last Xmas we were told he had the all clear at last after 5 years ... only as we were warned would be a possibility of happening .. Lil T is back in hospital again now as a different strain of Leukemia has come back We almost lost him a couple of weekends ago, but he is a fighter and we just keep on prayin that it all works out .. I kept myself busy fundraising for Child Cancer Research, it was all I could do for him, I couldnt donate or anything like that cos I wasnt a match, didnt half make me feel useless ... and chocolate and McDonalds were becoming family members by my side allll the time. I dont regret doing it either, I coped through the worst and was able to be strong for my mum, brother and sister in law and to me that was more important at the time.

So please dont be hard on yourself .. when you are under so much stress you need moments in your day or week where you can let your hair down and not think about numbers or things like that .. I know some would say that its times like this you need to be stronger and stop using food as a comfort thing, but hells bells .. sometimes there is a really good reason why counting just isnt a possibility in your life.

Okee .. anyway ...

Alison - way to go on your goal being reached And Im sure you will reach your next goal .. esp within 9 weeks

Hope everyone is doing ok, keeping cool in what I have heard is really hot weather over there in the US (we are in winter over here in NZ lol).

Oh .. just about forgot to answer the 3 questions ..

1. What diet plan are you currently on?
Im doing Jenny Craig .. one week so far.

2. What do you find motivates you the most?
Im not really sure lol .. I know I want to be able to sit on a plastic chair and not worry about it collapsing .. and I want to get swimming again ... wouldnt mind spending time at a foreign beach wearing togs and a sarong .. and even getting a little sunbathing in!

3. What can I do to help you stay on track?
For me its all about being real .. if you foul up then foul up and get over it, beating yourself up over it definitely isnt gonna make it go away .. but that doesnt mean you dont acknowledge it either .. mistakes are great to admit .. cos then it helps others to work out what to do when they do the same thing lol .. Also keep the faith .. each day is a new one ... yesterday is a memory .. tomorrow is a dream .. but today is a gift .. thats why its called the present

Katt, thank you so much for your encouragement. It has been really hard. Been wanting to eat burgers and a lot of junk food...the crazy thing is that I am really not of fan of junk...but, I guess I am looking more for comfort food, more then anything. Munched on some carrots today...they lie about them satisfying the need to munch, I had to eat some popcorn after that.

I know I should allow myself to let go somewhat, but I really don't want to go backwards, which I have been doing. I gained 1.6 lbs this week. I followed and counted, but the stress is getting to me. My whole body has been tense and I have been taking pain killers just to make it through the day, because my arms, back and legs have been hurting. I don't think I am getting restful sleep.

I hope things get better. We are headed on monday to Dallas and really looking forward to meeting the doctors. We have 5 apt. scheduled one after the other.

New Zealand, do you get hard summers? Sounds nice...I love the winter. So when is the best time to visit? Visit TX during the winter, that is always the best time, because during the summer, you just bake. Winters a really mild.

I am glad to see a fellow tall person. Don't see many tall people in my culture, I am hispanic and most of the women are short, well, so are the men. Went to Spain a few years ago and I was a whole foot taller then the men there. My husband (6'4") and I stood out.

Talk to you all later, James is taking me out on a date because we are not going to see each other for a while.

Stress is a real killer to weight loss, when the body is under stress it cuts back on certain things and losing weight is one of them in case it arises that you need the body fat to survive .. I remember discussing those sorts of things with a few doctors etc .. and one of them mentioned some sort of thesis thingy being done but I cant remember where .. but its like a safety mechanism .. this of course also triggers the headaches.

Good luck hun

Yes NZ has good summers, we are told we have more tropical summers cos we have more humid ones which makes the temp seem higher than it is .. as in the heat aint high (about 30C on average), but the heat we do have isnt usually a dry heat but there are the hotter days .. it depends on what part of NZ you are in ... the East Coast of the Nth Island is usually the hotter coast (also sees the sun first in the world each day). More care does have to be taken in our sun than in your hemisphere tho cos apparently the ozone hole is mainly over the pacific and the burn times are a lot quicker - The best time to come for a visit is in Jan/Feb usually ... and if you come over you are more than welcome to stay with us while you are travelling round the area of NZ Im in ... I dont have lots of room, but we can make space for you and your family no problem

LOL .. yes I am one of the tall ones Its not overly common over here either, my mum is only 5'4" and dad is 5'7" lol ... so lord knows where the height came from .. but my daughter is catching up to me too, she is going to be 15 this week and already she is 5'7"! My hunny is a little shorter than me too.

Keep in touch hun, you can rant to me as much as you like Sometimes it helps to get it all out of your system .. well ..at least those thoughts that run round in your head when you are lying in bed out in the open